Poverty, Food Insecurity, and Eating Disorders

What comes to mind as some of the key components for eating disorder recovery? Conversations around this topic vary, encouraging multidimensional approaches for mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. We speak of supporting clients in rediscovering passions and purpose, cultivating loving relationships, and developing nourishing behaviors. But what’s missing? When it comes to eating disorder treatment, the concept of food insecurity is far too often left off the table.

The basic definition of food insecurity is when an individual or family does not have access to enough food to meet their needs. 1 in 8 Americans qualify as food insecure and the repercussions are severe. Food insecurity impacts both physical and emotional health in many ways – malnutrition, chronic stress, and hunger name just a few. It is also a major and underdiscussed roadblock in the treatment of eating disorders. People of all economic backgrounds experience food and body disturbances. For this reason, professionals in this field must acknowledge and understand the dynamic interplay between food access and recovery.

The 2019 EDRDpro Symposium is pleased to welcome Kimberly Singh, MS and Laura Watson, MS, RD, CSP, CDE, LDN as guest experts to address this important knowledge gap in the eating disorder field. Their webinar, Food Insecurity and Eating Disorders: Creating Accessible Treatment Options, explores how the etiology of eating disorders can relate to food insecurity. Here, you’ll learn best practices when it comes to supporting clients who are experiencing both food insecurity and eating disorders. Clients who live in food insecurity, for instance, may be accustomed to eating less to save money, anticipating a dwindling food supply as the end of the month approaches, hoarding food, and lacking access to a variety of food options to satisfy preferences, cravings, and hunger.

Everyone, regardless of financial status, deserves the opportunity and support to recover. Join us, as we advocate for better care and treatment for all.

Artwork by Angus Maguire. interactioninstitute.org madewithangus.com

To learn more about the relationship between eating disorders and food insecurity, register for the 2019 EDRDpro Symposium! Starting March 1st, hundreds of health professionals will attend this online conference to transform their views on the treatment and prevention of eating disorders. Attendees will access a wellspring of information, resources, and support for their work in this field, and dietitians can earn up to 13 CEUs! Learn more and register at www.edrdpro.com